Golf grip cleansing device



Dec. 21, 1965 J. G. DOMINGOS GOLF GRIP CLEANSING DEVICE Filed June 5, 1964 FIG.|

INVENTOR. JbH/v 6'. Dav/N605 United States Patent 3,224,029 GOLF GRIP CLEANSING DEVHCE John G. Domingos, Bakersfield, Calif, asignor of one-half to John G. Domingos and Elba C. Domingos, jointly,

one-fourth to Monte Richard Domingos, and one-fourth to John Michael Domingos Filed June 5, 1964, Ser. No. 372,759 Claims. (Cl. 15-513) The present invention relates generally to the field of golfing accessories, and more particularly to a golf grip cleansing device.

In the playing of golf, particularly in warm weather, the grips of golf clubs become coated with a layer of perspiration and soil from the hands of the player. From a personal standpoint, this is annoying for the grips have a moist clammy feeling. However, even more annoying is the fact that after the grips have been exposed to perspiration over a period of time they become slippery and ditficult to hold, whereby a club may turn in a golfers hand and not contact the ball to hit it squarely, or even more serious, the club could slip from a players hand and possibly injure bystanders.

A major object of the present invention is to supply a device that will easily and quickly cleanse a golf grip of perspiration, dirt, and other foreign material that may be thereon, and will substantially dry the grip after it has been cleansed.

Another object of the invention is to supply a golf grip cleansing device that requires a minimum of maintenance attention, can be fabricated from standard commercially available materials, is so simple to use that even a child can cleanse a golf grip therewith, and which can be retailed at a sufficiently low price as to encourage the widespread use thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a golf grip cleansing device that may be positioned out-ofdoors, and will not be adversely affected by weather conditions over a prolonged period of time.

Yet another object of the invention is to furnish a golf grip cleansing device that may be easily moved from one location to another, and one that may be easily disassembled for maintenance purposes.

These and other objects and advantages of a first and an alternate form of the present invention will become apparent from the following description thereof, and from the accompanying drawings illustrating the same, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a first form of the golf grip cleansing device, with a portion of a golf grip being disposed thereabove just prior to insertion into the device;

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the device, taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view of an alternate form of the device; and

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the alternate form of the cleansing device in a position to receive a golf grip for cleansing.

With continued reference to the drawings for the general arrangement of the first form of the invention, it will be seen to include a relatively large circular base A that rests on the ground surface B. The base A has a number of circumferentially spaced, downwardly extending tapped bores 10 formed therein that engage the upper threaded ends of elongate rigid members 12 which extend downwardly into the ground surface B. The lower extremities of members 12 develop into pointed portions 16 for easy insertion of the members into the ground 14. Each of the members 12 is preferably formed with opposed fiat surfaces 18 that may be engaged by a suitable hand tool, (not shown) to rotate the members 12 so that they may Patented Dec. 21, 1965 be screwed into or out of the tapped bores 10, as shown in FIGURE 1. A tapped drain opening 20 is formed in the central portion of the base A and a threaded plug 22 is screwed thereinto.

An elongate cylindrical shell C extends upwardly from the central portion of the base A. Threads 24 are formed on the upper outer extremity of the shell C. Two oppositely disposed flat segments 25 are welded or otherwise affixed to the interior of shell C, as may best be seen in FIGURE 1. Two identical golf grip cleansing brushes D are positioned in the upper interior of shell C, and the lower ends 26 thereof rest on the upper surfaces of the segments 25.

Each brush D includes a semi-cylindrical backing member 28 formed from wood or other suitable material, with the longitudinal edges 30 thereof being in abutting contact, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Each of the backing members 28 supports a plurality of bristles 31 that extend inwardly therefrom and are radially disposed relative to one another. The inner ends of the bristles 31, as shown in FIGURE 3, cooperatively define a vertically extending circular space 32 through which a golf grip E (FIGURE 1) may be moved to remove dirt and other foreign material therefrom.

The bristles 31 start a substantial distance above the lower surfaces '26 of the brushes D. The uppermost positioned of the bristles 31 are disposed a substantial distance below the upper flat surfaces 34 of the backing members 28. Each of the backing members 28 has a number of circumferentially spaced recesses 36 formed therein.

A number of pins 38 are provided which have points 40 formed on one end thereof. Pins 38 are vertically mounted in recesses 36, and are of such length that when they are so mounted, the points 40 project upwardly above the upper surfaces 42 of the backing members 28.

A circular resilient sheet 44, preferably formed of rubber, rests on the upper surfaces 42, and snugly engages the upper interior surface of shell C. The sheet 44 is of such thickness that the upper surface 46 thereof is disposed slightly above the upper extremity of shell D when the sheet rests on surfaces 42. Sheet 44 has a downwardly extending tapered opening 48 formed in the center thereof that is in communication with a relatively short bore 50. The tapered opening 50 assists in centering the lower end 52 of grip E prior to insertion thereof into the rough bore 50.

A cap F is provided that is defined by a circular section 54 having a cylindrical rim 56 depending from the circumferential edge thereof. Threads 58 are formed on the interior of rim 56 that engage threads 24 to removably hold the cap F in position on shell C, as best seen FIGURE 1. Section 54 has an opening 60 formed therein that is substantially larger than tapered opening 50.

When the cap F is screwed downwardly on shell C, the

' interior surface 62 of the cap forcibly contacts the upper surface 46 of sheet 44. This forcible contact causes the points 40 to be pressed into sheet 44 and prevent it from moving relative to the cap F, brushes D, or shell C. The bore 50 is preferably of smaller transverse cross section than that of the smallest portion of the grip E in order that the grip will be subjected to a wiping action as it is drawn upwardly through the sheet. Two oppositely disposed rings 64 are affixed to the exterior surface of rim 56, and serve as supports for towels (not shown).

The shell C holds a quantity of water G, or other liquid suitable for cleansing of the golf grip E. The level 65 for the water G in shell C is determined by a thumb screw 66 that is removably disposed in a tapped transverse bore 68 formed in the shell C a substantial distance below segments 25, as best seen in FIGURE 1.

The use and operation of the invention is relatively simple. The assembly is disposed at a convenient location on a golf course and filled with water G to the level shown in FIGURE 1. The liquid level 65 is easily attained by removing the thumb screw 66, and allowing any surplus water to drain from the shell C through the bore 68.

In cleaning the grip E, the grip is first moved downwardly through the tapered opening 48 and bore 50, past the bristles 31, and into the water G. Thereafter the grip E is drawn upwardly into contact with the bristles 31, and subjected to an up-and-down movement. This upand-down movement of grip E in contact with bristles 31 removes all foreign material therefrom, and thoroughly cleans the grip.

Grip E is then drawn upwardly. As the grip E is moved upwardly through the bore 50, the lower edge extremity of the sheet 44 defining the bore acts as a squeegee to remove any remaining water from the grip. Thereafter the grip E is clean, dry, and ready for use.

An alternate form of the invention is shown in FIG- URES 3 and 4, which uses the same base A, shell C, and brushes D as the first form. These components and elements comprising the alternate form of the invention are identified in FIGURES 3 and 4 by the same letters and numerals used in describing the first form, but to which a prime has been added.

In the alternate form of the device a space 70 is defined between the lower surface of section 54' and the upper surfaces of the backing members 218. A first semi-circular sheet 72 of rubber is afiixed to the upper surface of one of the backing members 28 by a number of screws 74. A centrally disposed, semi-circular, downwardly and inwardly tapering surface 76 is defined on sheet 72, which at its lower end develops into a vertical semi-circular surface 78.

A second sheet 80 of rubber is disposed in space 70, and is so shaped as to be slidably movable within a restricted range on the upper surface of the backing member 28 disposed to the right as viewed in FIGURE '3. On the inwardly disposed portion of sheet 80, surfaces 76a and 78a are defined which are identical to the surfaces 76 and 78.

A metal band 82 is bonded to the exterior surface of sheet 80, from which band a rigid actuating member 84 projects outwardly through a transverse bore 86 formed in rim :56. The member 84 has a head 88 on the outer end thereof to permit the member to be moved outwardly or inwardly relative to cap F. Member 84 has a prong 90 extending downwardly therefrom which engages a recess 92 in the container C, when the second sheet 80 has been moved inwardly sufficiently to abut against first sheet 72.

In using the alternate form of the device the grip is moved downwardly into the confines thereof when the first sheet 72 and second sheet 80 are disposed as shown in FIGURE 3. When so disposed, the sheets 72 and 80 offer no resistance to the downward movement of the grip E.

After the grip is within the confines of the alternate form of the cleansing device, the actuating member 84 is moved to the left to place the first and second sheets 72 and 80 in abutting contact. Sheets 72 and 80 are removably locked in this position when prong 90 engages recess 92. The first and second sheets 72 and 80 thereafter cooperatively define a centrally disposed opening 94 that will wipe excess water from grip E as it is drawn upwardly theret-hrough, as did the bore 50 in the first form of the device. After a grip has been wiped clean of water, the actuating member 84 is pivoted upwardly in bore 86 to disengage prong 90 from recess 92. The second sheet 80 may then be moved to the right, as shown in FIGURE 3, until again needed. From the above description it will be seen that the first and alternate forms of the device perform the same function, but in a different manner.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments thereof and I do not mean to be limited to the details of construction herein shown and described, other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for cleansing the grip of a golf club, including:

(a) a base;

(b) a cylindrical shell mounted in an upstanding position on said base, said shell having threads formed on the upper exterior portion thereof, which shell when so mounted is capable of holding a quantity of cleansing liquid in which said grip can be immersed;

(c) a plurality of brushes longitudinally disposed in said shell, each of which brushes include an elongate backing member of arcuate transverse cross section and a plurality of spaced bristles that extend inwardly therefrom;

(d) first means in said shell for removably supporting said brushes with said backing members in abutting contact;

(e) a circular sheet of resilient material disposed in the upper portion of said container and resting on the upper surfaces of said backing members, said sheet being of such thickness as to project slightly above the upper extremity of said shell, and in which sheet a centrally disposed, downwardly and inwardly tapering opening is formed that communicates with a straight-walled bore situated therebelow, said bore being of smaller transverse cross section than the minimum transverse cross section of a grip that is to be cleansed in said device;

(f) an internally threaded cap that removably engages said threads on said shell and exerts a compressive force on said sheet, said cap having a centrally positioned opening formed therein of greater transverse cross section than that of said tapered opening and in longitudinal alignment therewith; and

(g) second means for holding at least the outer cir cumferential portion of said sheet stationary as said grip is moved downwardly through said openings and said bore to remove foreign material therefrom due to contact with said bristles, and thereafter cleansed by immersion in said liquid, and with liquid adhering to said grip being removed therefrom as said grip is drawn upwardly relative to said bristles, with any further liquid adhering to said grip being removed therefrom as said grip passes through said bore.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 which further includes:

(h) third means for adjusting the liquid in the shell to a predetermined level.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said third means comprises a thumb screw threaded into a transverse tapped bore in said shell, which bore is located at the elevation in said shell at which it is desired to maintain said water level, and with said water level being so maintained by filling said shell with a surplus of water, removing said thumb screw to allow said surplus to drain by force of gravity through said tapped bore to the exterior of said shell, and replacing said thumb screw when no further liquid drains from said shell.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said first means comprise segments rigidly affixed to the interior of said shell on which the lower ends of said backing members rest.

5. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said second means comprise rigid protuberances that extend upwardly from the upper ends of said backing members which are forced into said sheet when said compressive force is exerted thereon.

6. A device as defined in claim 5 in which said protuberances are defined by a plurality of rigid pins having pointed upper ends, with said pins being supported in vertical recesses that extend downwardly from the upper surfaces of said backing members.

7. A device as defined in claim 1 which further ineludes:

(h) means for removably holding said base at a desired location on a ground surface.

8. A device as defined in claim 7 in which said means comprise a plurality of rigid members having points on the lower ends thereof, and threads on the upper ends thereof that can removably engage circumferentially spaced tapped bores formed in said base, which rigid members have a plurality of flats defined between said points and said threads to permit said rigid members to be screwed into or out of said tapped bores in said base.

9. A device as defined in claim 1 which further includes:

(h) means for draining said cleansing liquid by force of gravity from said container.

10. A device as defined in claim 9 wherein said means comprises an externally threaded plug that is removably threaded into a tapped bore in said base that extends upwardly therein to communicate with the lower portion of said shell.

11. A device as defined in claim 9 which further includes a plurality of spaced rings affixed to the exterior surface of said cap from which towels can be supported.

12. A device for cleansing the grip of a golf club, including:

(a) a base;

(b) a cylindrical shell mounted in an upstanding position on said base, which shell has threads formed on the upper exterior portion thereof, and with said shell when so mounted being capable of holding a quantity of cleansing liquid in which said grip can be immersed;

(c) a plurality of brushes longitudinally disposed in said shell, each of which brushes include an elongate backing member of arcuate transverse cross section and a plurality of spaced bristles that extend inwardly therefrom;

(d) first means in said shell for removably supporting said brushes with said backing members in abuttting contact;

(e) a first sheet of resilient material, semi-circular in shape, rigidly afiixed to the upper extremity of one of said backing members in a horizontal position, said first sheet having a downwardly and inwardly tapered surface defined on the inner portion thereof, with the lower end of this surface developing into a downwardly extending semi-circular surface;

(f) a second sheet of resilient material slidably supported on the upper surface of at least one of said backing members and disposed within the confines of said shell, said second sheet being laterally movable in said shell relative to said first sheet, with said second sheet having a tapered surface and a semi-cylindrical surface defined on the inner portion thereof that are identical to those defined on said first sheet;

(g) an internally threaded cap that removably engages said threads on said shell, said cap when fully threaded on said shell cooperating with said backing members to define a space in which said second sheet can move, with said cap having a centrally positioned opening formed therein of greater transverse cross section than the maximum transverse cross section of said grip; and

(h) second means for moving said second sheet relative to said first sheet, with said second sheet when moved to a first position in which it is in abutting contact with said first sheet being so disposed that said tapered surfaces and semi-cylindrical surfaces define a downwardly extending opening through which said grip can be moved downwardly to remove foreign material therefrom due to contact with said brushes and thereafter immersed in said liquid, with said grip as it is drawn upwardly relative to said shell having liquid adhering thereto removed therefrom by said brushes and any additional liquid adhering thereto wiped therefrom as said grip passes through said opening defined by said first and second sheets.

13. A device as defined in claim 12 wherein said second means includes:

(i) a rigid band that extends around the outer surface of said second sheet; and

(j) a rigid elongate member that extends outwardly from said band through an opening formed in said shell, which opening is of a greater transverse cross section than that of said member, and with said mem ber capable of being manually manipulated to move said second sheet between said first and second positions.

14. A device as defined in claim 13 which further includes:

(k) means for removably holding said second sheet in said first position.

15. A device as defined in claim 14 wherein said means comprise a prong that extends outwardly from said elongate member that can engage a recess in communication with said opening, which prong engages said recess only when said first sheet is in said first position.

No references cited.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

PHILIP R. ARVIDSON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR CLEANING THE GRIP OF A GOLF CLUB, INCLUDING: (A) A BASE; (B) A CYLINDRICAL SHELL MOUNTED IN AN UPSTANDING POSITION ON SAID BASE, SAID SHELL HAVING THREADS FORMED ON THE UPPER EXTERIOR PORTION THEREOF, WHICH SHELL WHEN SO MOUNTED IS CAPABLE OF HOLDING A QUANTITY OF CLEANSING LIQUID IN WHICH SAID GRIP CAN BE IMMERSED; (C) A PLURALITY OF BRUSHES LONGITUDINALLY DISPOSED IN SAID SHELL, EACH OF WHICH BRUSHES INCLUDE AN ELONGATE BACKING MEMBER OF ARCUATE TRANSVERSE CROSS SECTION AND A PLURALITY OF SPACED BRISTLES THAT EXTEND INWARDLY THEREFROM; (D) FIRST MEANS IN SAID SHELL FOR REMOVABLY SUPPORTING SAID BRUSHES WITH SAID BACKING MEMBERS IN ABUTTING CONTACT; (E) A CIRCULAR SHEET OF RESILIENT MATERIAL DISPOSED IN THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER AND RESTING ON THE UPPER SURFACES OF SAID BACKING MEMBERS, SAID SHEET BEING OF SUCH THICKNESS AS TO PROJECT SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE UPPER EXTREMITY OF SAID SHELL, AND IN WHICH SHEET A CENTRALLY DISPOSED, DOWNWARDLY AND INWARDLY TAPERING OPERING IS FORMED THAT COMMUNICATES WITH A STRAIGHT-WALLED BORE SITUATED THEREBELOW, SAID BORE BEING OF SMALLER TRANSVERSE CROSS SECTION THAN THE MINIMUM TRANSVERSE CROSS SECTION OF A GRIP THAT IS TO BE CLEANSED IN SAID DEVICE; (F) AN INTERNALY THREADED CAP THAT REMOVABLY ENGAGES SAID THREDS ON SAID SHELL AND EXERTS A COMPRESSIVE FORCE ON SAID SHEET, SAID CAP HAVING A CENTRALLY POSITIONED OPENING FORMED THEREIN OF GREATER TRANSVERSE CROSS SECTION THAN THAT OF SAID TAPERED OPENING AND IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT THEREWITH; AND 